Our Favourite Edinburgh Pubs

West Port Book Festival meetings have always been in pubs, not so much because we are inveterate boozers, but because we don’t have an office and need to meet somewhere, preferably in the evenings when we’ve all finished (proper) work for the day. In our lighter moments, we like to joke about the calibre of our various ‘offices,’ so here, for the record, are a few of our favourite offices/pubs, chosen by each of us independent of peer pressure and back-handers.

As Peggy said when perusing this list, 'God we are a right bunch of old men! West Port: where the bodies of beautiful young women have been taken over by the souls of nip-drinking old codgers. Are we an episode of Doctor Who?'

Bennets Bar

8 Leven Street, EH3 9LG, t: 0131 229 5143

A few hundred years ago, a traveller entering Edinburgh tossed out a few coins in order to enter the city at Tollcross, near the bottom of Lothian Road. Today, I happily toss out a few coins to pass a pleasant evening at Bennets Bar. The stained glass windows beckon to passersby in a style befitting the impressive stone of the Victorian flats on either side, while the dim lighting from antique green lampshades makes it feel as if it has remained untouched since that era. The well-worn floral upholstery in the front room has heard numerous conversations over the years, while board games found in the back room offer a more 'modern' touch to the evening. You’ll find me with Trouble – just don’t make any bets. EH.

Large glass of house red wine £3.95

Bow Bar

80 West Bow, EH1 2HH, t: 0131 226 7667

http://sites.google.com/site/thebowbar/

The Bow Bar has something of a dual personality: by day it attracts keyboard tapping types who take advantage of the newly-installed WiFi and the congenial wooden surroundings; by night it is a bustling, old-school pub, within staggering distance of almost everywhere, but thankfully staggered past by stag and hen parties on their way to the filth pit that can be the Grassmarket. With coffee, a massive choice of interesting beers, an annual beer festival and 200 malt whiskies, it's the perfect bar if you want to try something new or if you just like good stuff on tap. If you're not sure about what would suit, the bar staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Don't let the roadworks outside put you off: collapsing buildings didn't stop us starting a book festival, so why should it stop you getting a good drink? KB.

Half of Guinness: £1.75, full price list on the website.

Burlington Bertie

11-13 Travit Street, EH3 9LB, t: 0131 229 865

http://www.burlingtonbertie.com/

I’m Bert, p’raps you’ve heard of me

Bert, you’ve had word of me,

Jogging along, hearty and strong…

I heard about the chap, and since then I’ve been easily persuaded to jog along, hearty and strong, to this little, positively odd oasis, located in Edinburgh’s Tollcross area. Berties attracts an eclectic crowd of ‘professional’ whisky and beer lovers along with artists and students looking for an evening of leisure. This queer bunch of individuals is attracted by the intimate atmosphere, homely décor, malt whisky offers and the most famous ‘ear-courtesan’ in town. Dressed in red, she hangs on the wall exposing her goods to the public and charging a pound for 7 tracks! Jog along! AC.

A double of malt whiskey (selection changes weekly): £4

Dagda

93-95 Buccleuch Street, EH8 9NG, t: 0131 667 9773

A not inconsiderable part of Dagda’s charm is that it is less than 30 seconds from my front door, but this pub has plenty more to recommend it than its magnificent location. Flirting with candles and flowers, but still a bit of an old man’s pub when you get down to it, you can rely on Dagda to have a decent, if occasionally odd atmosphere, even on the most revolting of Friday nights. Snug, with six tables and a beer barrel, it’s not the biggest of places, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for with its wide selection of fragrant local ales and dangerously quaffable spirits. The wine list is not to be sniffed at, whilst a place that serves Erdinger and Staropramen on tap is always going to get my vote, or rather my money – and frequently does. A perfect local. HA.

Half of Guinness: £1.50

The Waverley

3 – 5 St Mary’s Street, EH1 1TA, t: 0131 556 8855

There isn’t anywhere quite like the Waverley Pub. Standing where the Royal Mile meets the Canongate, resolutely on the fault line of the Flodden Wall, (perceived to be the 'world's end' in the 16th century), the pub remains a testament to times long gone. The ceilings and walls are papered with posters from Fringe festivals past, 60s tankards straight out of Heartbeat replace your more conventional pint glasses and you’ll find no wine list or curly fries. If you want to feel like you've stepped into a sepia knitting pattern, and portraits of the Queen, swirly carpets and 30s show tunes blow your hair back, you won’t find better. PH.

Half pint 80 shilling: £1.50

Crisps: complimentary

photo credit: the wonderful Chris Scott (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisdonia/sets/)

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